Press Releases

1. On November 15, in relation to damage caused by the earthquake that occurred in New Zealand's South Island, the government of New Zealand requested flights by the P-1 patrol aircraft of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) that had been dispatched to participate in joint exercises with New Zealand to check the status of the damage.
Pursuant to consultations by Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense on the implementation of international disaster relief operations, the Minister of Defense issued an SDF action order to conduct international disaster relief operations.

2. Upon receiving this order, one P-1 patrol aircraft departed at 12:55 p.m. on November 15 (Japan Standard Time) to check the status of the disaster damage.